I was thinking (yes, a dangerous thing nowadays), specifically about my own career path and the demise of the company “man”. There are still a plethora of “girders” out there, except they seem to be given the epithet “lifer”. This isn’t a political thing or a liberal vs. conservative thing. It’s a human thing. It’s probably an introvert thing. It’s definitely seen within the halls of government, businesses, and in volunteer organizations around the globe. So, allow me a little rumination.
Do you ever think about girders as you are driving over a bridge?
Do you ever truly look at someone at work and think, "they're really reliable?" Do you ever wonder if you are really giving them what they want other than "a job"? Do you ever think that reliability is a trait that is sorely missing in today's society and in business? Do you ever take your Mister or Ms. Reliable for granted?
Do you ever think that maybe--just maybe--reliability does NOT mean liking the tasks of your job, but rather, despite the tasks of your job, you give 100% effort anyway, because you believe that if you have a role to play, you play it in full? Has a Mister or Ms. Reliable ever, ever been a CEO, or President, or Movie Star or any person of notoriety? I've never witnessed one in my 40 plus years. So why aren't they in the spotlight?
In the several companies I’ve worked and career paths I’ve chosen, I have been told on more than one occasion that I'm "reliable". But in countless ways, I’ve witnessed my own attempts at promotion and lateral movement swatted down, given to others who may or may not have a greater capacity for intellect, work ethic or whatever, but who certainly have a track record for skipping town when the next opportunity comes up. “Reliable” and $4.50 will get you a pretty nice coffee drink at Starbucks. "Reliable" is to a career path, like "friend zone" is to dating.
The one thing that business sorely needs is reliable people. But businesses never reward it—or rather, will never admit they don’t reward it (after all, we should be thankful we have a job! That’s reward in and of itself! [natch]). Businesses and managers merely take “reliable” for granted, much like a girder on a bridge.
But eventually, the girder rusts when there is no care given to it.
For business owners and people of influence out there: have you hired anyone without your friend, relative or business acquaintance referring a potential employee? Have you ever hired someone based upon the word of their references or based upon their word--period? Better yet, have you ever hired someone because they said in their interview that their greatest pride is that they are reliable, or because they said that their current boss would say they are reliable (in answer to a common interview question)? Be honest! I get it. It’s the law of the jungle: you go with what you know. The problem is that going with “what you know” will probably give you a company full of sycophants.
Tell the truth: When you see on someone's resume that they have been in the same position for years and years, what question do you ask yourself: 1) What's wrong with this person that they never left their position? or 2) When can I hire this person because their longevity suggests they are reliable and flexible enough to withstand change (it is, after all, the 21st century)?
This is what it’s all about: I'm tired of being patted on the back and told I'm “reliable,” working in an atmosphere that runs diametrically opposed to my own gut instinct and personality. I’ve had it with being passed over for someone with flash who moves on when the next opportunity happens and invariable leaves the remaining troops in the lurch. What happened to pride in a job well done? Did that die in the 70's as well?
I’m actually looking for some hope somewhere because, frankly, I'm tired of people rewarding and worshiping the Wizard of Oz, when he's simply an illusion.
And if there's no hope--if Mister or Ms. Reliable is destined to be stuck a role—trying to squeeze out the blood of motivation out of the turnip that is the same role they’ve handled “reliably”—with nothing more than an "attaboy" or "attagirl,” then tell me. I can take it. I can accept that truth. And I can pay it forward, making sure all the Mister and Ms. Reliables out there can accept their lots in life and spare themselves the pain and heartache of recognizing that the Horatio Alger-like Great American Success Story is an utter myth.
And despite the neglect, maybe--just maybe--the girders will hold.
Maybe.